December 19, 2024: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in a hybrid model, with India's matches in the prestigious eight-team tournament taking place at a neutral venue. The decision, confirmed by the ICC on December 19, addresses the ongoing concerns surrounding the participation of India in events hosted by Pakistan.

The tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, in Pakistan, had been clouded by uncertainty due to India's reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the competition. The ICC’s statement clarified that all matches between India and Pakistan during the 2024–2027 rights cycle, including the Champions Trophy, will be held at neutral venues, regardless of the host nation.

The full statement from the ICC read: “India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024–2027 rights cycle will be played at a neutral venue.” This policy will apply to several upcoming ICC events, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (hosted by India) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka).

In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was awarded the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, where neutral venue arrangements will also be in place. This aligns with the hybrid model established for the upcoming cycle. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia is set to host one of the senior ICC women’s events during the 2029–2031 cycle.

The announcement of the hybrid model aims to ensure that all teams can participate safely and without hindrances. The ICC also confirmed that the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy will be released soon, with Pakistan aiming to defend the title they won in 2017.

The eight teams competing in the 2025 Champions Trophy include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and hosts Pakistan, promising a highly anticipated contest on the international cricket stage.